US-Iran Talks: Trump Claims Progress, Nuclear Weapon Pledge & Troop Deployments
President Donald Trump stated Tuesday that the United States is currently in negotiations with Iran, claiming Tehran has signaled a willingness to never pursue nuclear weapons. The announcement, made to reporters at the White House, comes after days of escalating tensions and threats of military action, and despite initial denials from Iranian officials.
Trump indicated that Vice President J.D. Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, his son-in-law Jared Kushner, and envoy Steve Witkoff are involved in the discussions on the U.S. Side. He characterized the talks as “very good and productive,” adding, “They want to build a deal, who wouldn’t? You’d see their navy is gone, their air force is gone, their communication systems are down – that’s the biggest problem.”
The shift in tone follows Trump’s weekend threat to destroy Iranian power infrastructure if Tehran did not fully restore operations in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping lane for global oil supplies. He had previously delayed planned strikes for five days, citing the progress of initial conversations.
According to Trump, Iran has likewise offered a “very substantial gift” related to the Strait of Hormuz, gas, and oil, though he declined to provide specifics. This claim aligns with a report from the Financial Times, which indicated Iran informed member states of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) that vessels not considered hostile could transit the Strait after coordinating with Iranian authorities. Vessels with ties to the U.S., Israel, and other nations involved in actions against Iran were excluded from this offer.
Tehran has officially denied direct negotiations with Washington, suggesting Trump’s move is aimed at lowering oil prices to facilitate continued military pressure. However, CNN reported, citing an Iranian source, that contact has been established between the two countries and that Iran is open to considering “sustainable proposals” to end the conflict.
The potential for dialogue emerges as the U.S. Prepares to deploy thousands of soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division, based at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, to the Middle East, according to Reuters sources. While the exact deployment locations remain unclear, the move signals an increase in U.S. Military capacity in the region. One source indicated that a deployment directly into Iran has not yet been decided.
Adding to the volatile situation, Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization (AEOI) reported Tuesday evening that the U.S. And Israel conducted an aerial attack on the Bushehr nuclear facility. Initial reports indicate no casualties or technical damage. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General responded on X (formerly Twitter), calling for “maximum restraint” to avoid risks to nuclear safety during the ongoing conflict.